virally

V4I1R1A1L1L1Y4
/ˈvaɪɹəli/

adverb

Due to, or by means of, a virus or viruses.

“The cells have been virally infected.”

OriginProto-Germanic *līką ← Proto-Indo-European *leyg- ← English viral →
UncommonScrabble 13
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Meanings

adverbvirally (comparative more virally, superlative most virally)

comparative more virally · superlative most virally

  1. medicineDue to, or by means of, a virus or viruses.

    The cells have been virally infected.

  2. In a viral fashion; often specifically in the context of viral marketing.

    The widespread use of mobile phones which support free Bluetoothing has enabled promotional videos to be distributed virally between handsets.

    2009, Seema Gupta, Branding and Advertising, page 303

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*weys-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*wisós
  3. Proto-Italic*weizos
  4. Latinvīrus
  5. Middle Englishvirus
  6. Englishvirus
  7. Proto-Indo-European*h₂el-
  8. Proto-Indo-European*h₂élisder.?
  9. Englishviral
  10. Proto-Indo-European*leyg-
  11. Proto-Germanic*līką
  12. Englishvirally

From viral + -ly.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

virally. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/virally

MLA

“virally.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/virally. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “virally,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/virally.

Source: virally on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.